IFS410 End User Support Chapter 3 Communication and Customer-service Skills.
-
Upload
jody-farmer -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
0
Transcript of IFS410 End User Support Chapter 3 Communication and Customer-service Skills.
IFS410 End User Support
Chapter 3
Communication and Customer-service Skills
Customer Service and Personality Types
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) A test that measures basic personality on four
dimensions Important to understand your own personality Highly effective if you understand the personality of
the end-user
Customer Service and Personality Types (continued)
Four Dimensions: Where do you direct your energy?
Introversion (I) versus Extroversion (E)
How do you process information? Sensing (S) versus Intuition (N)
How do you make decisions? Thinking (T) versus Feeling (F)
How do you organize your life? Judging (J) versus Perceiving (P)
Customer Service and Personality Types (continued)
Use: to help understand how users and coworkers use different approaches to problems, communications, and learning
Examples of 16 possible types ISTJ (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) ENFP (Extrovert, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving)
Each person is a mixture of the 4 types No personality type is correct or best
Most people are a mixture of pure types
IFS410 End User Support
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are often more challenging for new support workers to learn and use than technical or business skills!
A Customer Service Ethic
A customer-service ethic an organization-wide philosophy shared by everyone Mission Statements are good examples
(although many times are Marketing Driven) Customer Focused … Results Driven We don’t rest until you do Where do you want to go today
Satisfied versus Dissatisfied Customers Satisfied customers are likely to be repeat customers Dissatisfied customer incidents usually take longer to
handle Dissatisfied customers generate:
Lengthy incidents Repeated help desk contacts Complaints and ill-will Incidents that must be rerouted Product returns and refunds
A Customer-Service Ethic translates into a commitment Provide users with information, service, or solution
they need Explain to customers what can be done for them if
the problem cannot be solved Treat clients with respect Communicate to clients when they should expect to
receive the service or information they need Return calls or e-mails when promised
Communications Skills for Customer Service Three essential communication skills
Listen carefully Build understanding Respond effectively
Listen Carefully
Problem description Language used to describe the problem
Clues to caller’s experience level How the caller describes the problem
Tone of voice Use of technical terms
Strategy: Look for a communication skills course to build listening skills
Build Understanding
Develop empathy with a client Empathy: An understanding of and
identification with a client’s situation, thoughts, and feelings
Example: “It sounds like you’ve had a frustrating morning, but I think I can help you with this...”
Build Understanding (continued)
Try to express the problem in your own words Communicate to a client that you view him or
her as a person rather than a phone call or a problem
Techniques: Visualization Inclusive language: We, rather than I Smile!
Respond Effectively
Recognize the importance of a sincere greeting Icebreaker First impression Example: This is Joel in Computer Support.
Thank you very much for calling. How can I help you?
Use Scripts Appropriately
Script Prepared sequence of questions and
statements used to handle parts of an incident May include decision points and branches to
handle different situations Tip: Don’t read lengthy scripts or responses to
questions; restate the response in your own words if possible
Use Tone and Style Effectively
Use clear, succinct speech Speak slowly but not so slowly as to sound
condescending Use short sentences Avoid a rising inflection at the end of sentences Avoid empty phrases Phrase communication with clients positively Avoid technical Jargon Don’t laugh at a problem Massage the ego, build confidence of the user
Relative importance of elements of communication
Develop an Incident Management Strategy Incident management strategy
Techniques, tools and strategies that support specialists use to move through an incident effectively and efficiently from initial greeting to the end of the incident
Goals of Incident Management
Provide user with information she or he needs Manage stress levels for both the user and support
agent Ensure that the incident progresses from start to
finish in an effective and efficient way Make the user more self-reliant
Resources for Incident Management Organizational policies on incident management
philosophy and expectations Strategies covered in training programs Observation and imitation of respected senior support
agents Personal communication style Feedback on strengths and areas for improvement
Incident Management Suggestions
Strategies for Difficult Clients and Incidents
Difficult client is one who requires special handling strategies because the user is angry, not communicative, rude or abusive
Focus on: the specific problem getting the needed information to the client providing excellent customer service in a respectful
manner getting on to the next incident
Callers Who Complain
Give ample opportunity for the user to voice complaints
Use empathy Don’t take the complaint personally Tip: Remember that complaints can be a valuable
source of feedback
Calls from “Power Users”
Power user is one who is technically knowledgeable, or thinks they are, or who believes they warrant special treatment
Use inclusive language that makes the user feel like a member of the team
Use an authoritative tone
Incidents that Get off the Track
Refocus the incident Apologize for lack of prompt resolution Summarize the basic problem information Offer to continue to work toward a solution
Users Who Are Upset or Angry
Let users vent their anger Reassure user that the problem is an important one
and that you are willing to help resolve it Remember that angry users may continue to vent Avoid defensiveness Don’t sound patronizing
Users Who Are Abusive
Abusive user is one who is rude, uses inappropriate language, or makes personal attacks on a support agent
Goal: First transform an incident into one where the user is
just angry (no longer abusive) Then work to satisfy the needs of the user (result is a
successful incident) Follow the support organization’s policies and
procedures for this type of incident
Users Who Are Reluctant to Respond Use very simple language Avoid technical jargon Try different kinds of questions Give positive feedback when the user provides useful
information Suggest exchanging information in a different mode
(e-mail, chat session, face to face)
Users Who Won’t Stop Responding Use behavior that indicates the contact is over Summarize the incident and describe the conclusion Thank the user for calling Express your belief that the problem is solved Use short answers that don’t provide a lead-in to
additional conversation or communication
Comprehensive Client Services
Excellent customer service is based on specific values, attitudes, and actions Clients are the primary reason for the support
organization’s existence Willingness to take extra measures to satisfy clients Ability to provide client satisfaction depends on
adequate support resources (staffing, equipment, budget)
Excellent client service skills apply to telephone, face-to-face, and written communications